Customer Comments

G’day Dave.
I just want to tell you a little bit about my quest for my dream car.
In 1982 the whole family headed north to the Gold Coast for our first Christmas holiday break. Mermaid Beach was to become our regular family holiday spot for the next 20 years. My introduction to beautiful American classics happened during our first holiday when I was just 10 years old.
Mermaid Beach had everything. MacDonalds, Mermaid Beach Twin Cinemas, Mermaid Beach Surf Club, Putt Putt Golf, Great Surf Beach, Hedges Avenue and 2 very modest units in Venice Street where we (and my 2 brothers) spent the best part of our lives growing up. But it also had a shrine to American Classics in the form of a car sales showroom aptly named – MISTER CARS. The showroom was tucked away under the Mermaid Beach Twin Cinemas. After a Maccas meal and a movie, we would go down to the window of the showroom and just admire the marvellous creations which were on display in all their glory. I was always intrigued by a particular brand: the Ford MUSTANG. But there were other beauties, Corvettes, Camaros, Cadillacs, GT HO Falcons and the list goes on. But it was always the MUSTANG that seemed to draw my imagination and I could not control my emotions from then on. It was set in my mind. I wanted one but even at that age I knew the process was going to be a long drawn out affair and it was all going to be done off my own bat. Mister Cars became a regular hang out spot and it was outside the showroom that I would often imagine driving each and every one of those cars. But of course, the one I wanted most – the Mustang.
Mister Cars eventually moved on, I became older and the passion for owning a Mustang gathered momentum. At almost 38 years of age, with a young family, a secure job, with my finances in order, the time had come. The quest lead me to GM Downunder and a gentleman ( and I stress the word gentleman) by the name of Dave Harber answered my call. I knew he could tell just how long I’d been waiting and I am sure he could sense the excitement, the intrepidation, the anxiety and the passion in my voice. Because Dave had what I had always been looking for. A 1965 Mustang Fastback. But more than that, Dave had the best looking and best presented car that I had seen in the whole 5 months I was physically looking from coast to coast in Australia. I even checked out the internet to locate one in the US as my quest was bordering on desperation. It took only one call and an in depth conversation with Dave and I knew that I was close to my dream. I booked my flight from Melbourne, landed in Brisbane and whilst driving along the Bruce Highway to Bribie Island the irony began to hit me. Here I am coming back to the state (QLD) where along with my family, spent 20 consecutive Christmas school holidays, the place where I first cast my eyes on my dream car and here I was facing the real possibility that my hard earned was finally going to find a home.
As I got closer to Dave’s my mood changed. I pulled up at the shopping centre about 5 minutes away and I started to have flashbacks. The flashbacks were of all the disappointments I encountered along the way in the last 5 months where on many occasions the cars that looked so good on paper, in magazines, on the internet and up close as well as all the stories I heard about each and every one of those cars that failed to meet my expectations. And I asked myself the question - Was this going to be another let down? A quick call to Dave to let him know I was around the corner and then the worry had disappeared. It was time to meet with destiny.
The nerves were unbearable. The mind was ticking over but as I pulled up in the driveway and saw “HER” in that glorious Queensland sunshine, it was instant. I knew that I had found what I had been looking for. As I drove past the Mustang to the customer parking bay I couldn’t take my eyes of it and I simply can’t recall how the car I was driving managed to park itself without hitting anything and then switch itself off. I could hear Dave introducing himself and saying something, but I was in a zone. I was numb. Then reality kicked in. I knew where I was. I said hello to Dave, (probably again, I don’t know) and off we went. When I eventually took my eyes off the Mustang I had a look around and could see for myself that everything Dave said he was and did and had, was there for the world to see. A great set up with a team of guys who share his passion and vision. I could see that Dave really enjoyed what he does and most of all he really gets the most satisfaction when one of his cars finds a good home.
To Dave and all the team: simply THANKYOU. You feel that the car has found the right owner and I can assure you – it has. In my brief encounter with you, I now consider you to be a friend and not just someone that I have transacted with. And to me that was very important. Thanks for taking the time out and absolutely going through the whole car with me, making the deal a reality, organising the shipping of the car to Melbourne, keeping me in the loop right up until the car landed in Melbourne. I cannot stress enough how your assurances throughout the whole event helped ease my anxieties and you are really an upstanding gentleman. You are a credit to the industry that you work in and a fine example that should be recognised and modelled upon. I have no hesitation in recommended you and your company to anyone who wishes to realise their dreams of owing – a CLASSIC CAR. Thanks mate. Keep in touch.
The quest and search is over – now the fun and enjoyment begins.
John and family.
Owner of an awesome 1965 Mustang A Code Fastback (GT 350 Recreation)

Hi, Dave.

Well, after 41 years of waiting and thanks to you, it has finally happened! My dream car has become a reality and is now a permanent member of our family.

What a beauty, a red/black '69 427 big block Corvette Coupe, equipped with a turbo hydromatic transmission.

Hi Dave,

The year was 1969. I was 10 years old, in grade 4 at school. I remember getting time off school to go home to watch the TV to see man walk on the moon. Now to most kids, that seemed to be the ultimate, but for me, that was nothing compared to seeing a sales brochure some kid had at school, of a car his father was going to buy. The car was called a Corvette Stingray. I thought this was the most incredible thing I had ever seen.

That night when dad got home I asked him, "Will we all be driving cars like this" ... "When are we getting one?" It was like I had eaten a box of red jelly beans and washed it down with a bottle of Red Cordial. Much to my disappointment, dad explained the cold hard facts of life. He explained why he was working two jobs, why mum was working part time and even then we were still struggling a little. I thought there will be no car like that in this house ever.
Six years later I bought my first car, a Wolseley 4/44, from my mum's "Uncle Arthur" (honest, that was his name). At the time, mum was working in a news agency. Every couple of weeks mum would buy me a "car" magazine. Then it happened again ... in one of the magazines there was an article on a 1969 Le Mans Blue Corvette Stingray, 427 Tri Power!

I was in love all over again. I cut up the pages to get the pictures and made my own poster of that car. It stayed on my bedroom wall until I left home at 21, when I got married to Karen.

In the following 28 years I went through almost every car I thought I would like to have. To this date that is around the 60 mark. From Ford XW's, XY's, and XA's to Holden Monaro's, Chevy Pick Ups, '67,'69 Camaro's, even a 1939 Chevy Pick Up with a Supercharged 350 in it, just to mention a few. But one has mostly held pride of place on the screen saver on my computer ... "that
Corvette"

Then a defining moment occurred ... the moment was when I picked up the phone to call this guy at Bribie Island, his name was Dave Harber ( Yes Dave, you!) and he was selling Corvettes. I thought this was great ... this guy's passion for the Corvette's, the
fantastic facilities, and showroom was unreal. But then as the "tour" continued, as we walked into the workshop area, there it was. Just a little bit off the ground on the hoist, a 1969 Corvette Stingray Coupe, Le Mans Blue Exterior, Bright Blue Interior, Side Pipes, 427 Big Block, 4 Speed ... and then when you lifted the bonnet and I saw it was a Tri Power ... Oh My God! This is it, my dream car, a car that had teased, excited, thrilled and eluded me for nearly 40 years.

Well Dave, as you know, the rest is history ... of which you are a very big part I must say. I know this is a hell of a long way to say thanks, but just to say 'thanks' isn't good enough.

As you can imagine, after some sixty previous cars, with some of the good, the bad and the very ugly deals, to me you were a dream come true. Your honesty, your professionalism, your care and passion for what you are doing in your business is beyond belief.
You didn't just sell me a car Dave, you helped me realise a 40 year old dream, an ambition, one that I thought would never be fulfilled. So even though it still not enough ... Thank You!

Mike P. Brisbane

Hi Dave,

Im finally getting around to saying thanks for all your help. I cant believe I now own the best looking car in Brisbane. And it was all so easy and straight forward. It's the perfect car, everything I ever wanted and just getting better all the time. I now have my son Zac hiding a new stereo in the back to be heard but not seen. Poor Dave cant keep me out of it, I just love it. Best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas and cheers for making the whole process such a breeze. I wouldnt hesitate to recomend you and would love to do business with you again if you hadnt already sold me the perfect car. I think Im in love.

Priscilla and Dave Woods (78 Corvette Coupe)

Hi Dave & Krysy

Just wanted to drop you an email to let you know I have the 71 Corvette fully registered in the ACT.

I wanted to thank you for the time you spent on the two occasions my son (Matt) and I came to Queensland to visit.

The final decision was made somewhat easier as at your shop we were able to see a number of model years, variations, colours, conditions etc as well as see the amount of work that your team puts into each car you sell as well as restore for others.

What we originally thought we wanted changed along the way but I don't think we could have come to that decision without access to your cars and experience.

Would recommend you to anyone on the journey we have taken.

Thank You Craig Hart ( 71 Blue/ blue coupe)

Our mouths dropped and are speechless F**** whisper was all we could say for a whole minute Al turned to jelly and was near tearing up. We complimented you verbally for the next minute, Dave you are the MASTER!!

We always new we were dealing with Dr Corvette and would like to truly express our appreciation and true happiness with the end result. Many many thanks for your attention to detail.

WE LOVE YOU BOTH and Team GM Downunder.

AL & RENE XXX (71 Big Block Coupe)

HI DAVE GMDOWNUNDER

WE PICKED UP OUR 1972 CORVETTE COUPE OUR VETT HAS COME UP SUPERB WHITE WITH RED INTERIOR LOOKS AWESOME.YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB AND IT IS A CREDIT TO YOU.

THANKS HEAPS STUART& JO-ANNE